ESPN underrates Jimmy Butler… as expected

ESPN came out with its top 100 players in the NBA list and the Miami Heat’s prized addition, Jimmy Butler, was listed at 21.

Of course.

After Sports Illustrated had him 11th.

ESPN 11-30 rank:

11. Kyrie
12. Westbrook
13. McCollum
14. Gobert
15. Simmons
16. Doncic
17. Kemba
18. Towns
19. Beal
20. Mitchell
21. Butler
22. Siakam
23. Griffin
24. Conley
25. Fox
26. DLo
27. Murray
28. Trae
29. Tobias
30. Booker

— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) September 25, 2019

For context, Butler is lower than Donovan Mitchell (20), Kemba Walker (17), Ben Simmons (15), Rudy Gobert (14) and CJ McCollum (13). In my humble opinion, Jimmy Butler is an all around better player than all of the players previously listed. However, it is not a surprise to me that Jimmy Butler was ranked lower than less talented players. If you’re asking why, well, the answer is simple: Jimmy Butler plays for the Miami Heat.

Yeah, this guy….

Jimmy Butler bringing that intensity to the Heat already 🔥

(via @MiamiHEAT) pic.twitter.com/ACadnLESel

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 26, 2019

The national media hates the Heat, and has ever since LeBron James said he was taking his talents to South Beach. Sports media made Pat Riley and the Heatles the villain of the NBA because they believed they cheated the system. But why the hate now? Well, this is because the Heat just got Jimmy Butler– with absolutely no cap space. So, after the national media ranted and raved about cap space, flexibility and max slots, Pat Riley got his man without it. In the national media’s eyes, Pat Riley and the Heat cheated the system again. Therefore, the hate returns.

However, hate isn’t always a bad thing; the Heat, along with their loyal fans, are used to being the villain. In fact, Heat fans eat it up. There is something deep inside each and every Heat fan known as “The Cocky Heat Fan”, of which has been dormant for awhile. Now that Jimmy Butler is here, The Cocky Heat Fan has awoken from its long slumber. So bring on the Miami Heat hate, ESPN and national media…

We Heat fans thrive on it.

Also welcome back Cocky Heat fans, I missed you.